Driver gets 2 year felony prison conviction for tossing cup of ice into car.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
United States
February 21, 2007 12:23am CST
'McMissile' moment lands mother in jail.
To the locals, it's the "McMissile" case. A woman is driving north on Interstate 95. Three kids squirm in the back seat, and her sister, six months pregnant and having early contractions, sits in the front.
The stress starts to simmer. Traffic slows, then crawls, then creeps. More stress. A car cut in front of her, then scoots away.
A short time later, it darts in again. She can no longer take it. She veers onto the shoulder and speeds up.
Wham! She tosses a large McDonald's cup filled with ice into the other car.
She get's report to the authorities. She found guilty. She looses her 3 children and is jailed and no faces a 2 year felony prison conviction.
You can read the whole story here;
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17212960/
I know the prosecutor wants to send a message that this behavior shouldn't be tolerated, but this seems a little overboard.
What do you think?
Lloyd
6 people like this
31 responses
@smiley20903 (495)
• United States
21 Feb 07
this story outrages me..that just show how our justice system is full of it...i fell sorry for the woman and hope her kids are not taken away from her as a result of her having to go to jail. how is it that she can get 2 years but a man that kills someone or molest someone can get 1 year..at most she should have gotten community service and a fine or had to take a road rage class but not this..i tell u only in america..the land of the free the home of the brave can this nonsense happen...
4 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I know what you mean. This definately isn't the country that the founding fathers invisioned.
They would be shocked.
Lloyd
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
21 Feb 07
Although the judge is trying to convey the message that this sort of activity isn't exceptable in modern times. I don't think she should get prison time for it, seeing as this is her first offense of doing such activity. I think the penalty should be a fine and a warning, than if she does it again give her the jail time.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I agree, there is so much that he could have taken into consideration before handing out such a severe penalty.
Lloyd
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
21 Feb 07
It is regrettable and this shows us that we need to keep a handle on our actions and reactions. She was wrong to speed on the shoulder. Where was her cell phone, this would have been better. Felony is seeming harsh however we need to get people to think before they do these kind of things. Her sister probably needed that ice. The driver of that other car should also in comparison be reprimanded for the cutting in front and darting about.
3 people like this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
22 Apr 07
Not everyone in this world has cell phones. So she might not have had one and considering her siter was having contractions I'd assume she didn't have one to call for an ambulance. I do agree though the other driver should have been reprimanded as well. There is no reason to be darting in and out like that.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
It is regrettable that she didn't handle the situation in a better fashion.
There has been some tragic cases of road rage.
Lloyd
@mommy2jason922 (529)
• United States
21 Feb 07
that is so stupid!! she needs a better lawyer i say! it is was beyond overboard!
3 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I'm sorry for getting back to everyone so late. I've been unable to post a comment here at MyLot for about 24 hours.
In regard to you state that "it's beyone overboard", I agree.
I can't think of many cases worst than this where they received lesser sentences.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I'm watching Jessical Hall on CNN right now. She is finally at home after spending 48 days in jail for throwing ice inside of another vehicle who was driving eractically.
The Judge in the case reduced the 2 year sentence to probation after the outcry because of the stiff sentence she received.
She says her children now sleep with her at night, afraid that she might go back to jail.
She is still considered a felon. And there are no discussions being held to remove the felony from her sentence.
Lloyd
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
21 Feb 07
I saw that on the news last night and i was shocked that she was going to be sentenced to a minimum of two years for something as ridiculous as that. Its sad and i feel for her and for her kids especially. I just think the prosecutor has taken this way out of line and if they wanted to punish her for what she did, then why not a fine or community service or something like that? why does it have to be jail time? i don't think the crime was serious enough to warrant jailtime.
3 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I agree. He should have also taken into consideration that her husband in serving over in Iraq.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I agree. He should have also taken into consideration that her husband in serving over in Iraq.
Lloyd
@HolyMosesMalone (415)
• United States
22 Feb 07
when you do something stupid like that then you are subject to the stupid consequences of your action, i dont care who you are, you can't just do something olike that, i feel sorry for the kids really.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
That's a good one.."Stupid things lead to Stupid Consequences".
No one knows that better than this lady.
Lloyd
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
25 Apr 07
Oh that is really over the top punishment.
While tossing something at a moving car is dangerous as anything, still I think that making this woman a felon is very harsh. I am sure there are people out there that have done far worse things and got off lighter.
Now she is put in prisn with nasty people who have done more things than her and it is probably damaging to her. She should have been considered with past history and motivation. People should be given a second chance for such things if no one was hurt.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
25 Apr 07
I couldn't have said it any better. I agree with you 100%.
Thanks for your reply.
Lloyd
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I don't know Llod. Normally I would agree with you. But I was in a car being driven by a friends a few years ago on I-95. Infact we were coming up from your State of Delaware. Someone on an overpass threw some rocks at passing cars. We all went to the nearest rest stop and reported the incident to the state troppers. The car I was in was hit but not badly damaged. A couple other cars had broken front windows. It was terrifying and if any one of those drivers had been less than cucumber cool, someone could have been badly injured or killed. I offered a prayer on that day that I was not the driver on the way up as I had been on the way down. When I got out of that car at the rest stop, I was still trembling. Drivers (and Pedestrians on overpasses) have to know that they can't pull stunts like that in high traffic areas. I think I'm with the judge on this one.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
6 Mar 07
You are right. They are 2 different circumstances. They did reduce her charges to probation, but she will always have a felony record.
This "so called" road rage has to stop.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I'm so sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience. I travel I-95 very often. For the life of me, I can't understand what makes people do these dispicable things.
Her actions could have resulted in a tradegy and thank God that didn't happen.
I know if should could do it all over again, she wouldn't have thrown the cup of ice into another vehicle like that.
I hope she and everyone who reads this story learn from it and think before they act.
Thanks for your opposing opinion.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
Hi Jerryn. Nice to see you here at MyLot also.
In my heart, I believe that the Judge will reduce the sentence in this case or there will be outrage over this verdict.
Lloyd
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
21 Feb 07
A little overboard!That's an understatement. It's crazy. A fine would have been appropriate not a 2 year prison sentence!
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
Your thoughts mirror the feelings of many who have posted here.
I just wonder what the prosecuter was thinking.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
Your thoughts mirror the feelings of many who have posted here.
I just wonder what the prosecuter was thinking.
Lloyd
@ladymoonstone143 (1507)
• United States
22 Feb 07
This is what you call injustice. Yes, she should be reprimanded...get her into an anger management class but jail time for a glass of ice? Common. There are worst cases that this but others get away with just community service or probation. That is why we have to really look at our justice system. Are they looking out for us or they have their own agenda.
2 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
We really need to take a good look at our justice sysytem.
However, I wonder if it's beyond repair. I hope we can fix it. But I'm very pessimistic about that.
Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I also think that there were extenuating circumstances in this case. The law has to stop being so black and white.
Lloyd
@SKLC_PT (1234)
•
21 Feb 07
That's outrageous the maximum they should have done was a fine/ticket but that's just overkill, and yet there people that do more and get away with it. That's just so wrong, what are they going to do next? I really think the jurisdiction system has lost its marbles!
2 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
It shows you how easy you can end up in prison in the United States.
I think he should have considered whether or not she would be a future threat to her community.
Lloyd
1 person likes this
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Yes, I remember when I first heard about this, and I almost wanted to cry. I know how it feels to be stressed out-I have four kids and I'm pregnant! So when I heard I really felt for her because her husband is military and away, like mine! I mean if she went nutso and hit the car with HER car then i'd understand, but throwing a cup gets her probation (and could have been a 2 year sentance?) Seems so unfair. I'd give her a break personally, unless she had a track record of doing stuff like this. She was probably stressed out and that was the last straw, but she didn't hurt anyone physically, glad she just got probation, although I think it should have been something less, like cleaning up some litter or something!
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
25 Apr 07
It does seem very unfair. Sometimes a person's circumstances should be taken into consideration.
I'd like to know what her hero husband thought about this situation.
Lloyd
@justiman (428)
• United States
22 Feb 07
OMG I just can't believe it either! F...in prosecuter ought to be locked up. Those poor babies. I did hear it is going in front of a judge soon and he can rule on it again. I'm not sure what the news meant by that but lets all pray for that whole family. ...I say she should have been commended on making the cup into the car, I know I've tried that and never made it once.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
The good news is that the Judge reduced the sentence to 5 years probation.
She better make sure that she doesn't come before this Judge or prosecutor again.
Lloyd
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Well, I guess this would be considered Wreckless Endangerment, but in all reality the Judge should have really looked at the situation a little bit closer, and why would they be so mean with something like this, and let other more worse Crimes and criminals just get a Slap on their wrist to only offend, and maybe Kill others or themselves in the process. To me, this sounds a little unreal.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
25 Apr 07
Just the fact that this woman with 3 children and a husband serving in Iraq was put in jail makes this story so sad.
There has to be a uniformed standard of punishment in the United States.
Some people never a spend a day in jail for worse crimes.
Lloyd
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I read in other posts that this was reduced to probation but it still seems excessive. The other driver should have also been charged since they instigated the problem. I don't agree with throwing of the ice and I can see giving her a ticket and perhaps community service to begin with but not a felony let alone 2 years in prison. That was overkill and should not have been done. The judge was going over board on it. Yes we should all be polite on the road and giving in to road rage is not right but that doesn't excuse the judicial system from abusing their power.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I agree that the sentence was extremely harsh. It seems that some prosecutors and judges are on a power trip.
I wonder what his reaction would have been if it was his daughter.
Lloyd
@raphael_volts (1131)
• India
22 Feb 07
Really a two year imprisonment is stupidity and really quite overboard. She could have been easily tought a lesson for such offence by some fine or other ways but two years imprisonment for something that stupid is really something.... I bet she need a better lawyer
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
I think the majority of people here believe that this penalty went way overboard.
There are so many things the prosecuter could have taken into consideration.
Especially the fact that her husband is on his 3rd tour of Iraq.
Lloyd
@agentalpo (55)
• United States
22 Feb 07
She needs to get a new lawyer and appeal. That's beyond ridiculous. I've seen people get in DUI accidents and walk away with less punishment.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
22 Feb 07
It was noted earlier that the penalty have be reduced to 5 years probation.
I wonder if she appeals the 5 year probations sentence and looses, would it revert back to the 2 year jail sentence.
Lloyd
@Kaeli72 (1229)
• United States
22 Apr 07
I guess the authorities wants to send the message that behaviour like this could be the start of "road rage". However, it's sad that people who do this kind of actions are acting out because it's the "last straw". Could the VT incident been avoided before he reached his "last straw"? Things you got to ask yourself.
In this woman's case, I think the judge needs to look at his/her own actions and see what they would do in the same situations. The other driver might as well be cited for near wreckless driving. Her punishment definately was over the edge.
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I think we all know that the punishment was too harsh. If she was wealthy and could afford the best lawyers, she would have never received such a harsh sentence.
Lloyd
